Sundowners Syndrome: What It Is and How to Cope

If you are tasked with caring for your loved one who may suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, you may have heard about Sundowners Syndrome. If not, it is something that you should familiarize yourself with. The condition is characterized by memory loss, confusion, agitation, and wandering throughout the evening hours or once the sun sets. Unfortunately, this condition affects up to as much as 20% of those seniors who have Alzheimer’s. The Visiting Angels Home Care team wants to let you know that those seniors with dementia or those who have stayed in the hospital for a long period of time may experience the condition as well.

There are symptoms that may present themselves such as fear, crying, rapid changes in mood, stubbornness, agitation, anger, depression, and restlessness. While the cause of the syndrome is unknown, there are some factors that may trigger it to present itself. Visiting Angels Home Care recommends that you speak with your loved one’s care team to ensure your loved one is looked after closely, especially if he or she experiences Sundowners.

Below, the Visiting Angels Home Care team will discuss some of the things you can do to assist your loved one and help them cope with Sundowners Syndrome as best as possible.

• Create a routine and stick to it. It is important that seniors with Sundowners have a set schedule and routine that they follow, as this will help them in the long run. In fact, a routine can reduce any confusion or anxiety they may experience
• Watch what your loved one eats. This is important because caffeine and sugary foods can lead to problems later on with your loved one’s health and may contribute to why they may not be able to settle down into the evening
• Plan out your loved one’s day and limit how many activities they perform each day. Professionals recommend that seniors engage in two activities per day and also recommend that the activities take place in the morning hours
• Provide good lighting in your loved one’s home. This way, they do not have to fear walking around in their home and they will be able to see where they are going. Good lighting can also prevent trips and falls
• Minimize noise from electronics such as the radio or TV. These devices may cause anxiety or stress for your loved one

If you are concerned about your loved one or if you have any questions about Sundowners, contact Visiting Angels Home Care today to learn more.